Yes, it's now officially winter, but that doesn't explain how it is that Seattle has five times the snow it usually has on average this time of the year.

We are addressing the why's and where's and, on the upside, who can count on a White Christmas.

Also on the burner: What contacts the President-elect Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, had with the embattled governor of Illinois; the Denver plane mishap's survivors and investigation; and surprising ways the recession is changing everything this holiday, except perhaps what's in our hearts. And on that point, the generous heart of America is revealed in a sweet Making a Difference story tonight.

Some inside baseball: Brian's old friend and colleague Aurelia Grayson joins us for the first time tonight as Senior Broadcast Producer. They last worked together at WCBS in the late '80s, and, like him, she enjoys fast food--a newsman's daily bread. (By the way, Brian, do not even think about reaching for her favorite: pepperoni pizza.)